Foam

4 for Boating · 08-18-2010, 11:25 PM

So every once in a while I get these bubbles/foam hanging around my shoreline. Don’t think it’s from my boat as it is often present when I arrive for the weekend and I turn the battery off so it does not even bilge while I’m away. The water quality is very good in the area and when this stuff does arrive, it seems to linger and not disperse. Where does this come from? I see it occasionally in what appears to be a recent wake from boats around the lake but can’t tell if it’s a normal occurrence of every boat, only those with issues and/or only 2 strokes. Possibly it comes to my shoreline when the wind is in a particular direction but hard to say.

Just like to better understand what it is and where it comes from as it lingers for hours and then sometimes disappears at what seems like the blink of an eye.

fmgate · 08-19-2010, 05:52 AM

It is a known phenomenon. The foam is organic matter that has been agitated by wind, waves, etc. Attached below is a NH DES fact sheet on the subject.

http://des.nh.gov/organization/commi...ments/bb-5.pdf

Gatto Nero · 08-19-2010, 06:39 AM

I just learned something that I have been mildly curious about in the past but, I guess, not enough to investigate myself. Thanks.

Irrigation Guy · 08-19-2010, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4 for Boating

I turn the battery off so it does not even bilge while I’m away.

Off topic I know. But, your bildge pump should be wired so it will still run if the battery or batteries are off. This is to prevent sinkings.

4 for Boating · 08-19-2010, 07:23 PM

Thanks for the information FMGATE.

Isn’t it nice that just about any question about the lake and such can be answered here.

Regarding the bilge, I thought the same at one point but for some reason the boat was wired to be able to completely shut everything down. Not sure why but we bought it slightly used some years ago so maybe the original owner had some reason. I was concerned at one point about rain but we have a new cover with pitch poles that seem to work to disperse most of the rain.

Lakesrider · 08-19-2010, 07:53 PM

Bilge pumps should always be powered up even if the battery switches are off.
Your insurance company can refuse a claim if it is proved your bilge pumps were non operational. I know this for a fact.

I keep a solar battery charger plugged into my batteries while I am away from the boat.

ApS · 08-24-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmgate

"...It is a known phenomenon. The foam is organic matter that has been agitated by wind, waves, etc..."

Wait until late September- or October's- strong winds: the foam will collect in continuous rolls on any windward shore.

On calm mornings at dawn, a red sunrise will make it glow pink!

(Somewhere here, I have a photo of one).

Scoop up a handful, and smell it: it smells of fresh soil, and nothing like the soapy-foam-smell you were expecting.

08-18-2010, 11:25 PM	#1
4 for Boating Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 211 Thanks: 1 Thanked 37 Times in 25 Posts	Foam So every once in a while I get these bubbles/foam hanging around my shoreline. Don’t think it’s from my boat as it is often present when I arrive for the weekend and I turn the battery off so it does not even bilge while I’m away. The water quality is very good in the area and when this stuff does arrive, it seems to linger and not disperse. Where does this come from? I see it occasionally in what appears to be a recent wake from boats around the lake but can’t tell if it’s a normal occurrence of every boat, only those with issues and/or only 2 strokes. Possibly it comes to my shoreline when the wind is in a particular direction but hard to say. Just like to better understand what it is and where it comes from as it lingers for hours and then sometimes disappears at what seems like the blink of an eye.

08-19-2010, 06:39 AM	#3
Gatto Nero Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Isola Gatto Nero Posts: 696 Thanks: 162 Thanked 263 Times in 81 Posts	Learn something new every day I just learned something that I have been mildly curious about in the past but, I guess, not enough to investigate myself. Thanks. __________________ La vita è buona su Isola Gatto Nero

08-19-2010, 07:23 PM	#5
4 for Boating Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 211 Thanks: 1 Thanked 37 Times in 25 Posts	Foam Thanks Thanks for the information FMGATE. Isn’t it nice that just about any question about the lake and such can be answered here. Regarding the bilge, I thought the same at one point but for some reason the boat was wired to be able to completely shut everything down. Not sure why but we bought it slightly used some years ago so maybe the original owner had some reason. I was concerned at one point about rain but we have a new cover with pitch poles that seem to work to disperse most of the rain.

08-19-2010, 05:52 AM	#2
fmgate Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 43 Thanks: 8 Thanked 10 Times in 4 Posts	It is a known phenomenon. The foam is organic matter that has been agitated by wind, waves, etc. Attached below is a NH DES fact sheet on the subject. http://des.nh.gov/organization/commi...ments/bb-5.pdf

The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to fmgate For This Useful Post:
AC2717 (08-19-2010), angela4design (08-21-2010), jerseyonbear (08-19-2010), Jonas Pilot (08-19-2010), Mooseyme (08-19-2010), The Eagle (08-19-2010)

08-19-2010, 07:53 PM	#6
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	Bilge pumps should always be powered up even if the battery switches are off. Your insurance company can refuse a claim if it is proved your bilge pumps were non operational. I know this for a fact. I keep a solar battery charger plugged into my batteries while I am away from the boat.